8 Code Playgrounds to Test your JavaScript Applications and Skills

Code playgrounds can be a great solution either you want to test your JavaScript skills or make your application run safely. Check out some options you should have on your bookmarks.

When it comes to JavaScript testing and learning, code playgrounds can be a wise choice. These front-end platforms offer advanced options allowing users to edit, preview and test their codes online without the need of creating new files, setting local servers or firing up an IDE.

Aside from providing testing features, playgrounds can also come in handy for teams players to work in a code in real-time and even for teaching purposes since some of them have sharing options and built-in chat systems.

So, either you're learning more about JavaScript or want to make sure all of your code works perfectly, take a look on what some playground options are capable of:

Liveweave offers a real time and resizable editor panel for JavaScript, HTML and CSS developers. One great option it features is the "Team Up" option, allowing the user to connect with other team players to work collaboratively chatting with messages or audios.
The playground also has a library section with option to add libraries and frameworks such as jQuery, Angular and Backbone. The code generated in the editor can be downloaded as a zip file.

With a simple interface, developers can debug check for errors within HTML, CSS and JavaScript codes.
It is possible to choose between frameworks and libraries, from Angular to jQuery, Vue, etc. and even JavaScript based languages such as ES6, TypeScript, and CoffeeScript.
Despite the good amount of options to explore with the console, the sharing options can be limited for team players. It is possible to send a link with the code output, but users can't collaborate with the project in real time.

If you were struggling to find a place to teach JavaScript tricks to someone or to help your project team, CodePen will definitely solve your problems. With the Professor Mode feature, it's possible to set up an online classroom and allow people to watch you code in real time.
Front-end developers can also take advantage of this tool. It's possible to host demos as "Pens" and embed them to other pages. In a very intuitive interface, you can play with JavaScript's libraries and frameworks and get your code analyzed by JS Hint.
As for the sharing options, you can send demos through Twitter, Facebook, Google + and SMS or join the Collab Mode, available for Pro Account subscribers.

JSHint is a community-driven platform that promises to track errors and potential problems in JavaScript codes even in the most complex programs.
One good thing is that the open source tool adjusts itself in any environment and guidelines you use in your code. Check out this page to see how to install different environments on the platform.

JSFiddle features four resizable panels so you can start coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and preview them on the results section. The tool allows users to add complementary extensions or frameworks like jQuery, Mootools, Knockout, Vue, etc. and offers advanced functionalities such as the Ajax simulation.
If you need help, just hit the Collaborate button on the top menu and invite friends to see and edit your code and chat via text or audio. Else if you just want to share your work, you can generate a link or even embed your code inside of a page.
One thing that can be annoying, though, is that JSFiddle doesn't update its preview screen automatically, so you need to hit the "Run" button each time you change your code. Another downside is that the playground doesn't bring a console, so perhaps this is not the ideal tool to scan code errors.

If you're looking for a simple place to test if your JavaScript functions are running well, JS.do can be a fit. The codes you create can be saved and shared as links in your account. It is not possible to download or upload files in the editor.
However, despite the clean interface, this tool brings interesting features to explore, such as frameworks you can add to the editor or even code samples.

With JSLint, you can make sure your code runs accordingly with the rules. This simple tool analyses the source code and allows the user to select what to tolerate or which standard to follow while scanning the code lines. Just paste the source you want to analyze, check the boxes with your criteria and hit "JSLint" button to obtain your results.

There is no point in checking syntax or standards and scanning for errors if you are not willing to properly protect your JavaScript code. For that reason, Jscrambler offers a playground in which you can implement and test the API's security features for your project.
You can start your test using a clock application sample or upload your own file. On the right sidebar, you'll find the Code Transformations settings, that presents options to obfuscate, optimize and lock your JavaScript code. To learn more about how to use Jscrambler's playground and make your application run safely, take a look at this tutorial.

What are your favorite code playgrounds?

There are tons of code playgrounds on the web. Each one presents unique interfaces, features, and advantages, with the convenience of being a "page-loading" away from you.
Thus, in case you didn't have any of those tools in your bookmarks yet, it's time to check which ones are more convenient to you and keep some of these links easy for your access.
If you have other favorite code playgrounds aside from the ones we reviewed, just comment on our social networks and tell us about them!